From minor colds to illnesses that a little more major, your kids will get sick very often in the first few years of their life. However, there is one common malady that can impact your child, and you might not see it coming: a urinary tract infection, or UTI. If you've ever suffered from a UTI, you know how uncomfortable and miserable they can be. Here is some information about your children and urinary tract infections, including what you can do to help your child feel better:
What Exactly Is a Urinary Tract Infection?
Your body's urinary tract, which is composed of the urethra, ureters, bladder and kidneys, is responsible for filtering and exposing of waste products. It is also ripe with bacteria, which is generally released with the waste, and whatever is left over is killed by the body's immune system.
Unfortunately, sometimes that bacteria aren't completely eliminated or there is an excessive amount, and the body becomes overwhelmed. This can lead to a urinary tract infection. The majority of UTIs are caused by the bacteria present in stool, particularly E. Coli.
Typically, your child will get a UTI because of two different reasons: holding it too much and chronic constipation. When your busy child doesn't regularly use the bathroom, they aren't allowing the bacteria present in their urinary tract to exit your body. In addition, if your child suffers from chronic constipation, they are also at a higher risk of developing a UTI because the stool will press on the urinary tract's wall. This can cause bacteria to build-up, which once again doesn't allow it to naturally leave their system.
What Are the Symptoms of a UTI in Children?
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several symptoms associated with a UTI, in both children and adults. They include:
- Strong smelling urine
- Cloudy urine
- Feeling like your child has to urinate often
- Burning and discomfort
- Inability to empty their bladder
- Reddish or discolored urine, which is caused by the presence of a small amount of blood
In addition, looking for other symptoms can help your doctor determine which part of your child's urinary tract is infected. For example, if your child experiences a burning sensation while urinating, their urethra is most likely infected. If the infection lies in the kidneys, your child might experience nausea, pain in their sides and fever.
How Can You Help Your Child Feel Better?
If you suspect your child is experiencing a combination of the above-mentioned symptoms, it's important to visit their doctor right away. In addition to helping them feel better faster, your child's UTI needs to be treated right away, or they could wind up seriously damaging their kidneys.
Your doctor will collect a urine sample that will help them determine which bacteria is causing the infection. While the sample is being analyzed, your child's doctor will start them on an antibiotic to treat the most common types of bacteria that cause UTIs. If your doctor discovers that a different bacterium is causing the infection, they might switch medications.
The pain and discomfort associated with a UTI often takes a few days to go away after your child starts their course of antibiotics. If your child is in extreme discomfort, your doctor may prescribe a medication that relieves the burning and irritation by numbing the lining of their urinary tract.
In addition to making sure your child takes all their prescribed medications, it's vital that you encourage them to drink plenty of fluids. This will help flush out their urinary tract and help prevent dehydration.
Urinary tract infections in children are common and easily treatable. If you suspect your child is suffering with a UTI, don't wait and instead, visit their pediatrician immediately. Going here can also help.
